Monthly Archive for August, 2015

: August, 2015

Before its official launch next month, Samsung has opened up a beta test of its new “Samsung Pay” mobile payment solution. Much like Apple Pay, the service allows people who own Samsung devices to buy things at physical stores using their phones. Samsung Pay is based on the technology created by LoopPay, a company Samsung …

Verizon wants to make your older vehicle a little smarter. This week, the company announced Hum, a new gadget for older vehicles that gives them some of the same features as new models leaving the lot. It won’t turn your ’87 Buick into a self-driving car, but it will add features like roadside assistance and car …

If you’ve got an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus on the AT&T network and you’ve called another Houston-area AT&T customer with a similar smartphone, you may have noticed that the call sounds different. Here’s why. …

In May, Comcast said it would launch its Gigabit Pro network in Houston. The cable company never formally said when this 2-gigabit-per-second service would be lit up here. But Comcast spokesman Michael Bybee told me today it has been available in Houston for the past month. The company has not promoted it, but yes, it’s here. …

Uber is testing a new way for customers to get around in San Francisco that looks a lot like a bus route. With the company’s new “Smart Routes” feature, riders are both picked up and dropped off along a popular street. Routes are designated in green within the Uber app. Smart Routes users have to walk …

I always enjoy my appearances on Leo Laporte’s This Week in Tech podcast, but Sunday’s episode was special. Besides me, the guests included Fortune’s Apple editor Philip Elmer-Dewitt and TWiT stalwart John C. Dvorak, and it was a lively panel. …

Fitbit users likes to hit the pavement when they want a workout. Seven in 10 Fitbit users worldwide walk for fitness, according to the recently released Fitbit Activity Index, making it by far the most popular workout. When it comes to other exercise, running was No. 1 for Fitbit users in the U.S., Canada, Australia and U.K. “We …

Tesla wants to make your next Airbnb trip a little more electric car friendly. The car manufacturer is partnering with Airbnb to install free electric car chargers in some of its properties for guests to use. The initiative is starting in Tesla’s home of California, with plans to ultimately expand the program around the globe. …